Allied commanders in Afghanistan say that about 40 percent of their logistic supplies enter the landlocked country via Pakistan.

Since there is no rail link between the two neighboring nations, all cargo arriving overland from Pakistan’s main port of Karachi is trucked into Afghanistan. Militants allied with al-Qaida and the Taliban have made sporadic attampts in the past to disrupt the supply lines by attacking the convoys.

About 40 per cent of the supplies needed for Nato’s 42,000 soldiers in Afghanistan pass through Pakistan. The vital supply routes follow the Indus valley from the port city of Karachi to the border town of Peshawar.

They enter Afghanistan through the Khyber Pass. Other border crossings from Pakistan’s province of Baluchistan are also used.

Virtually all the fuel that is used in Afghanistan is coming through Pakistan. That cannot be airlifted; that has to go by land routes. And the Taliban and whatever other insurgent forces there are against foreign occupation of Afghanistan are determined to cut those supply lines.

When it comes to America’s relationship with Pakistan, remember one thing: it’s all about the fuel. Many presidential candidates are insisting that the U.S. get tough with Pakistani president Pervez Musharraf. But the reality is that we have almost no leverage. Why? The answer can be seen by looking at the American military’s fuel logistics nightmare in Afghanistan. Without the cooperation of Musharraf’s government, the 24,000 U.S. troops stationed in Afghanistan would likely run out of fuel within a matter of days.

The U.S. military is now burning about 575,000 gallons of fuel per day in Afghanistan. And about 80 percent of that comes from refineries in Pakistan.

CHAMAN: Quetta-Chaman highway reopened after successful negotiations between security forces and Ghibzai tribesmen here on Monday. Armed Ghibzai tribesmen blocked Quetta-Chaman highway and set ablaze several vehicles in protest against the arrest of their relatives by the FC in Gulistan early Monday morning.

NATO knows this. This is why the Germans don’t want to get too far from Termez. The Paks can’t secure the LOC and they won’t let anybody else. The Taliban wintering in the Pashtun Tribal Belt don’t need to come west and get killed come spring. They can stay where they are and hit the convoys. Hard times for the Good Guys in Afghanistan.

21 responses to “Listen to your Loggy Toads”

Not sure if you mentioned fuel before, but I always secretly hoped we’d have some miracle airlift capacity.
(Not admitting the immensity of the endeavor)
Turns out, a miracle is the only viable option immaginable.

That Kornegal Valley piece was powerful. It will horrify most Americans and weaken what little resolve and fortitude they had left.

American Airborne Infantry doing jobs Afghans don’t want to do. Eventually, in four years or so, IF we last that long, the ANP will be a trained, professional law enforcement and security force loyal to Kabul. Until then, Sons of America will do the dying.

Turkmenistan is out of my lane. Probably with enough baksheesh something could be arranged.

The Russkies aren’t supplying us, but air cargo charter companies flying Il-76’s are. A buddy of mine was given a tour of an An-26 and the Russian crew were living in it like it was an RV. Ex-Soviet airlifters are ubiquitous out there.

Assuming unlimited funds for air charters and overflight over Pakistan, the Western armies in Afghanistan can be sustained at a minimum level, but they won’t be capable of offensive operations. They will be defending their airfields.

I think America should not send more Brigade Combat Teams to Afghanistan. We should send the caveated NATO contingents that won’t fight home, and replace them with Embedded Training Teams and Police Mentoring Teams to get the ANA and ANP defending their own country as soon as possible. And the best defense is a good offense. Train up Commando Kanaks for incursions into the F.A.T.A